Cable restraining device

ABSTRACT

A detachable binding device comprising a bracket including a base portion and a slotted projection having a first slot and a second slot aligned in parallel with the first slot between the first slot and the base portion. The binding device further includes a self-gripping fastening strip. The fastening strip passes through the first slot to form a first wrap around a length of a cable to hold the cable against the slotted projection. The fastening strip then passes through the second slot to form a second wrap over the first wrap and the length of the cable for secure retention of the cable against the slotted projection by setting the fastening strip into a self-gripping arrangement. After formation, the binding device may be detached from the length of the cable and the bracket by disrupting the self-gripping arrangement of the fastening strip and withdrawing the fastening strip from the second slot and the first slot to release the length of the cable from contact with the slotted projection.

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/406,539,filed Apr. 3, 2003, now allowed, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to wire and cable organizing systems thatinclude tie-down devices at intervals along a length of wire or cable.More particularly the present invention provides a detachable bindingdevice comprising a slotted bracket to receive a fastening strip thathas means for mechanical fastening of wraps of the fastening stripsaround a cable and through slots of the slotted bracket to secure thecable to the bracket.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Organized wiring systems, for example a wiring harnesses, providea convenient means for installing electrical circuit structures thatsupply energy and electrical signals needed for the operation of avehicle or a machine. An installer of organized wiring systems invehicles such as automobiles, airplanes, boats and the like, or inappliances such as clothes washers and dryers, may encounterdifficulties due to space limitations inside a vehicle or appliance. Theinstallation of power and signal carrying wires and cables inside anautomobile, for example, requires the threading of current carriersthrough relatively narrow spaces between the interior surface of thepassenger compartment and the external surface of the automobile. Spacelimitation restricts the number and diameters of wires that may beincluded in a wire bundle that forms part of a wiring harness.

[0006] Limitation of space is only one condition that affects thedevelopment of an organized wiring system. Conventional bundled wiringharnesses generally require laborious and expensive manufacturing andmanual installation procedures that increase the time and expense formounting a wiring harness on a support structure. Vibration ormechanical shock, produced in a support structure, transmits to thewiring harness and associated cables possibly causing undesirable noise,damage to the wiring harness or loosening of wire bundles and cablesfrom the securing mounts used to hold them to the support structure. Inmany cases, wire and cable mounts, once formed, do not facilitatere-entry for repair or modification of the wiring system.

[0007] A variety of devices are known for securing wires and cables to arange of different surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 2,831,049, for example,describes a wiring harness having a pair of wires mounted within acontinuous resilient carrier. The bottom surface of the carrier includesan adhesive coating for securing the carrier to a support structure.U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,408 describes a structure for signal carriers of awiring harness that includes wires extending through at least two pads.Molded pads surround wires and position them in spaced relationship toeach other. The pads also provide attachment of the wires to a support.

[0008] Wiring fasteners described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,663 includefastener combinations for securing wires, tubes, cables and the likearticles to a support surface in the form of a sheet metal panel. Thefastener is a stud having a head and a shank secured to the surface ofthe sheet metal panel at the end of the shank opposite the head. Thisplaces the head of the stud in a spaced apart condition from the panelwith the undersurface on the head facing inwardly toward the surface ofthe panel. A clip engaging the head of the stud has an elongated slot topermit insertion of a band passing over an article to be secured to thesupporting panel. The band includes locking means for anchoring the bandadjacent to the stud.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,999 provides information of an apparatus forreleasably securing mating electrical connectors. The apparatus employsa bracket having a size and shape to enclose portions of a matingconnector, The bracket includes a pair of opposed arm portions with atleast one slot centrally located on one of the arms and a pair ofopposed open ended slots on the other arm. An end portion of aself-locking strap connects to the centrally located slot. After placingthe bracket to enclose the mated connector the self-locking strap may bewound tightly around the connector through the two open-ended slots; andlocked to itself, by means of hook and loop elements, to retain themated connector in an engaged condition. The mating parts of theconnector may be conveniently separated after removing the strap, usingsufficient force to disengage the hook and loop elements and unwindingthe strap from the connector. A similar apparatus provides the subjectmatter of U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,525.

[0010] Regardless of number of ways known for tying elongate objectssuch as wires and cables, particularly organized wiring systems, tosupport surfaces, there exists the need for simple, low cost means toreleasably secure and retain a variety of optional wiring schemes usingsimple and compact binding structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a detachable binding devicecomprising a slotted bracket to receive a fastening strip that has meansfor mechanical fastening of wraps of the fastening strips around a cableand through slots of the slotted bracket to secure the cable to thebracket. A slotted bracket provides an anchorage point for secureretention of one or more elongate objects, such as a wires or cablesparticularly electrical cables of a wiring harness. The bracket has twomain parts of a base and a slotted projection that includes a pair ofparallel slots.

[0012] A cable may be secured to a slotted bracket using a flexiblefastening strip that has a mechanical fastening means for detachableself-engagement. Other suitable means for self-engagement of fasteningstrips include adhesive engagement. However, there is an advantage ofreliable binding using mechanical fasteners that have interferenceelements like those found on surfaces of hook and loop fasteners.Mechanical fasteners of this type disengage to release a wire or cable,as needed for repair or re-routing of cable systems. Adhesive means forcable retention are typically not designed for easy, convenientre-entry. Binding structures involving cable ties, for example, do notreadily form a tight binding and tend to resist disengagement forre-entry for re-routing or repair of a cable system.

[0013] Formation of a cable binding according to the present inventionbegins by positioning a portion of a length of cable in contact with afirst wrap of a flexible fastening strip of mechanical fastener thatmaintains its wrapped condition by interference and engagement betweeninterference elements on both sides of the fastening strip. A tailextending from the fastening strip has a size suitable for insertioninto the first slot in a slotted projection to draw the cable againstthe projection, which is part of a slotted bracket. The tail may then bewrapped upon itself to form a second wrap of the fastening strip aroundthe cable. Interference between mechanical fastening elements of thefirst and second wraps of the fastening strip provides relatively secureattachment of the cable to the projection. The tension in the tail ofthe fastening strip and the holding force applied to the cable increasesduring formation of a third wrap of the fastening strip around thecable. Formation of the third wrap of the fastening strip requiresinsertion of the tail through the second slot of the slotted projectionfollowed by tightening the tail around the cable and over the secondwrap for engagement of mechanical elements between the second and thirdwraps of the fastening strip. This wrapping procedure tightly binds alength of the cable to a slotted bracket to produce a detachable cablebinding according to the present invention.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides adetachable binding device comprising a bracket including a base portionand a slotted projection having a first slot and a second slot alignedin parallel with the first slot between the first slot and the baseportion. The binding device further includes a fastening strip includinga first gripping surface and a second gripping surface. A loop of thefastening strip is held around an elongate strand by engagement of thefirst gripping surface with the second gripping surface. The fasteningstrip passes through the first slot to form a first wrap around a lengthof the elongate strand to hold the elongate strand against the slottedprojection. Then the fastening strip passes through the second slot toform a second wrap over the first wrap and the length of the elongatestrand for secure retention of the elongate strand against the slottedprojection when the first gripping surface on an end portion of thefastening strip engages the second gripping surface on a portion of thefastening strip. The binding device detaches from the length of theelongate strand and the bracket by separation of the first grippingsurface of the end portion from the second gripping surface of theportion of the fastening strip and withdrawal of the fastening stripfrom the first slot and the second slot to release the length of theelongate strand from contact with the bracket.

[0015] More particularly, the present invention provides a detachablebinding device comprising a bracket including a base portion and aslotted projection having a first slot and a second slot aligned inparallel with the first slot between the first slot and the baseportion. The binding device further includes a fastening strip having afirst side opposite a second side with a plurality of hooks distributedon the first side and a plurality of loops attached to the second sideof the fastening strip. The fastening strip passes through the firstslot to form a first wrap around a length of a cable, wherein there iscontact between the cable and the slotted projection. The fasteningstrip then passes through the second slot to form a second wrap over thefirst wrap and the length of the cable for secure retention of the cableagainst the slotted projection when the fastening strip is undertension, restricted form movement by interlock of a portion of theplurality of hooks at an end portion of the first side, with a portionof the plurality of loops at a portion of the second side of thefastening strip. After formation, the binding device may be detachedfrom the length of the cable and the bracket by separation of theportion of the plurality of hooks at the end portion, of the fasteningstrip, from the portion of the plurality of loops at the portion of thesecond side and withdrawal of the fastening strip from the second slotand the first slot to release the length of the cable from contact withthe slotted projection.

[0016] The above summary of the present invention is not intended todescribe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of thepresent invention. The Figures and the detailed description which followmore particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Notwithstanding any other forms, which may fall within the scopeor the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of slotted bracket according to thepresent invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the initial step of assembly ofa cable retainer according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 provides perspective view illustrating the formation of awrapped binding to hold a cable to a slotted bracket according to thepresent invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing overlapping engagementbetween wraps of a retainer strip used to bind elongate objects to aslotted bracket according to the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a cable held against aslotted bracket using a double wrap of a retainer strip.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fully wrapped binding of aretainer strip used to secure an elongate object, such as a cable, to aslotted bracket according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 7, is a perspective view showing a strap having a pluralityof slotted brackets molded along its length.

[0025]FIG. 8 shows the strap depicted in FIG. 7 using fastening stripsto attach groups of wires or cables to slotted brackets to producewrapped bindings associated with cable retainers according to thepresent invention.

[0026]FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative strap supporting brackets formulti-point retention of one or more wires or cables extending parallelto the longitudinal axis of the strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodiedin various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily toscale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details ofparticular components. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

[0028] Referring now to the figures wherein like numbers refer to likeparts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of abracket 10 according to the present invention. A bracket 10 provides ananchorage point for secure retention of elongate object 12 (not shown)such as a wire or cable particularly an electrical cable that is part ofa wiring harness. The bracket 10 includes a base 14 and a slottedprojection 16 containing a first slot 18 and a second slot 20.

[0029]FIGS. 2-7 show how a cable 12 may be secured to a bracket 10 usinga fastening strip 22 that has the capability of self-engagement usingany of a variety of means including adhesive engagement or mechanicalfastening using interference elements like those found on surfaces ofhook and loop fasteners. FIG. 2 shows a cable 12 held inside a firstwrap of a strip 22 of hook and loop fastener that maintains its wrappedcondition by interference and engagement between hooks on one side ofthe strip 22 and loops on the other. A tail 24 extending from thefastening strip 22 has a size suitable for insertion into the first slot18, of the slotted projection 16 to draw the cable 12 into abutment withthe outer surface 26 of the projection 16.

[0030]FIG. 3 illustrates how the tail 24 may be wrapped upon itself toform a second wrap of the fastening strip 22 around the cable 12.Formation of the second wrap includes applying tension to the tail 24for tight attachment of the cable 12 against the outer surface 26 of theprojection 16. Interference between hooks and loops of the first andsecond wraps of the fastening strip 22 provides relatively secureattachment of the cable 12 to the projection 16 as shown in FIG. 4. Thetension in the tail 24 of the retainer strip 22 and the holding forceapplied to the cable 12 increases during formation of a third wrap ofthe fastening strip 22 around the cable 12. FIG. 5 illustrates formationof the third wrap of the fastening strip 22 that requires insertion ofthe tail 24 through the second slot 20 followed by tightening the tail24 around the cable 12 and over the second wrap for engagement of hooksand loops between the second and third wraps of the fastening strip 22.This produces a length of the cable 12 tightly bound to a bracket 10 asshown in FIG. 6 of the present invention. The resulting secured cable 12includes three portions 30, 32, 34, of the fastening strip 22mechanically fastened together to provide a strong link between thecable 12 and the projection 16 of the bracket 10.

[0031] A bracket 10 according to the present invention provides a pointfor attaching elongate objects 12 in a number of applications,particularly in the routing of wires in electrical installationsincluding wire harnesses for vehicles and vessels such as ships,aeroplanes, trains, trucks, vans, automobiles and other forms oftransportation. Following the design of wiring systems, brackets 10,attached to bulkheads, or other surfaces of vessels and vehicles,identify the route that will be followed by the wires and cables used toform the wire harness. Each bracket 10 may be fabricated from metal orplastic and attached by its base 14 to a surface using a variety ofmethods of bonding including adhesive bonding, and mechanical bondingusing metal rivets, for example. Suitable positioning of multiplebrackets allows the stringing of long lengths of wires and cables. Theheight of the projection 16 of a bracket 10 according to the presentinvention may be selected to provide a low profile bracket 10 suitablefor use in confined regions of a vehicle or building.

[0032]FIG. 7 shows that a plurality of brackets 10 may be joinedtogether to provide a transverse strap 28 having multiple brackets 10 atfixed intervals. The transverse strap 28 facilitates attachment of wiresand cables with convenient separation between points of secure cableattachment. While FIG. 7 illustrates a number of brackets 10perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transverse strap 28, itwill be appreciated that brackets 10 may be placed on the transversestrap 28 having any convenient orientation to its longitudinal axis.

[0033]FIG. 8 shows how several cables 12 may be attached by fasteningstrips 22 to slotted brackets 10 having their position fixed duringmolding of the transverse strap 28 from a suitable plastic resinmaterial. A benefit of transverse straps 28, including slotted brackets10 according to the present invention, is the capability they providefor organizing complex wiring schemes used to connecting activecomponents and devices in machines, ships, trains and vehicles and thelike that require current and signal carrying wires and cables. Plannedpositioning of transverse straps 28, secured to the bulkhead of a shipor plane or a surface of a vehicle body, for example, determines thedirections that cables will run and the number of support points (cableretainers) that will be used to stabilize the cable connectingstructure. Although FIG. 8 shows lengths of three cables held to aslotted bracket 10 by a wrapped binding, it will be appreciated that acable retainer according to the present invention could accommodatecables fewer or greater in number than those specifically represented inFIG. 8.

[0034]FIG. 9 illustrates an axial strap 36 differing from the transversestrap 28 by having the longitudinal axis of each slotted bracket 10co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the strap 36. As used herein, theterm transverse strap 28 refers to a ribbon of a flexible materialhaving on at least one of its surfaces a plurality of slotted brackets10 each having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the flexible ribbon. The term axial strap 36 describes a ribbonof flexible material having on at least one of its surfaces a pluralityof slotted brackets 10 each having its longitudinal axis parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the flexible ribbon.

[0035] An axial strap 36 may be designed to provide support points ofequal spacing along a length of cable, as shown in FIG. 9. Other designsmay alter the spacing between slotted brackets 10 to provide alternatecable support schemes inside a vessel or vehicle structure. Extensivewiring schemes may use a combination of transverse straps and axialstraps for optimum positioning and support of wiring systemsparticularly vehicle wiring harnesses. Transverse and axial straps 28,36 may be fabricated from metal or plastic, preferably a tough, flexibleplastic material, and attached to a surface using a variety of methodsof bonding including adhesive bonding, and mechanical bonding usingmetal rivets, for example. Adhesive attachment is preferred to preventdamage to the containment structure used to house wiring schemesorganized using detachable bindings according to the present invention.

[0036] As required, details of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

What is claimed is
 1. A detachable cable binding comprising: a bracketincluding a base portion and a slotted projection having a first slotand a second slot between said first slot and said base portion, saidsecond slot having parallel alignment with said first slot; and afastening strip having a first side opposite a second side, said firstside having a plurality of hooks distributed thereon, said second sideof said fastening strip having a plurality of loops attached thereto,said fastening strip passing through said first slot to form a firstwrap around a length of a cable, wherein there is contact between thecable and said slotted projection, said fastening strip further passingthrough said second slot to form a second wrap over said first wrap andthe length of the cable for secure retention of the cable against saidslotted projection when said fastening strip is under tension,restricted from movement by interlock of a portion of said plurality ofhooks at an end portion of said first side, with a portion of saidplurality of loops at a portion of said second side of said fasteningstrip, said cable binding being detachable from the length of the cableand said bracket by separation of said portion of said plurality ofhooks at said end portion from said portion of said plurality of loopsat said portion of said second side and withdrawal of said fasteningstrip from said second slot and said first slot to release the length ofthe cable from contact with said bracket.
 2. A strap used to organize atleast one elongate strand, said strap comprising: a flexible ribbonhaving a first surface opposite a second surface; and a plurality ofbrackets extending in spaced apart relationship from said first surface,wherein each of said plurality of brackets includes a base portion and aslotted projection having a first slot and a second slot between saidfirst slot and said base portion, said second slot having parallelalignment with said first slot.
 3. The strap of claim 2, wherein saidsecond surface provides a support for means to attach said ribbon to asurface.
 4. The strap of claim 3, wherein said means to attach saidribbon are selected from the group consisting of adhesive and mechanicalmeans of attachment.
 5. The strap of claim 2, wherein each of saidplurality of brackets is a transverse bracket having a longitudinal axisperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said flexible ribbon toprovide a transverse strap.
 6. The strap of claim 2, wherein each ofsaid plurality of brackets is an axial bracket having a longitudinalaxis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said flexible ribbon toprovide an axial strap.
 7. The strap of claim 2, wherein said pluralityof brackets has random orientation to the longitudinal axis of saidflexible ribbon.
 8. The strap of claim 2, wherein the at least oneelongate strand is selected from the group consisting of hoses, wiresand cables.